Packer construction



3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 14, 1952 INVENTOR WILLIAM T. CORSETTEATTORNEYS Nov. 15, 1955 w. T. CORSETTE PACKER CONSTRUCTION 3Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 14, 1952 INVENTOR WILLIAM T. CORSETTE WM wk/WATTORNEYS Nov. 15, 1955 w. T. CORSETTE PACKER CONSTRUCTION 3Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 14, 1952 FIG.

FIG. 9.

FIG.8.

llfly/r INVENTOR WILLIAM T. CORSETTE 777m Mia/W ATTORNEYS United StatesPatent L PACKER CON STRUCTION William T. Corsette, Long Beach, Calif.,assiguor, by

direct and mesne assignments, to Seanay, Inn, Los Angeles, Califl, acorporation of California Application July 14, 1952, S'erial No. 298,734

I 8 Claims. (Cl. 166-179) This invention has todo generally with devicesused in oil well drilling and servicing operations for the purpose" ofeffecting a fluid-tight seal between the-pipe in the well and the casingor between the pipe and the wall of an uncased section of a well hole.Such devices include swabs, cup-type packers, and sleeve-type packers;

An object of myinvention is to provide a novel and improved structurefor swabs, packer cups, sleeve packers, and other devices of thisnature, which utilizes an elastic orresilient annular body which isexpanded for the purpose of effecting a seal.

Packer cups, sleeve packers and such devices usually embody an annularbody of rubber or rubber-like mate'- rial and since the packer ordevices are subjected to fluid pressures of "several thousand pounds, itis customary to employ some means for reinforcing the resilient portionof the" device. It is a particular object of my invention to provide anovel means of reinforcing the body of the packing device in an improvedmanner. In this connec tion it is an object to provide reinforcing meanswhich tends to cause the packer body to return to normalpdsition from anexpanded position.

Another object of the invention is to provide a swab cup for use onmandrels, tubing, or pipe which may be either smooth, rough, orthreaded, providing a positive seal between the inner diameter of thecup and themember upon which it is mounted.

A further object is to provide a swab cup in which the cup expandsfreely to the inside wall of the outer tubing or casing providing aprogressively tighter seal as the pressure upon the cup is increased.

Another object is to provide reinforcing means within the body of thecup which prevents the resilientbody of the cup from being extruded ordeformed behind the cup assembly under the influence of high pressures.

Still another object is to provide reinforcing means within the cup bodywhich prevents the cup body from separating from the metal shoe at theend thereof when it is moved while expanded. In this connection it is anobject to provide a swab cup which is so designed that it may be movedin either direction while under the influence of fluid pressure.

It is also an object to provide a swab cup or packer which is so formedthat it is possible to pass the same through collar recesses, andthrough rough, split, perforated, or out-of-round tubing or casing.

These and other objects will be apparent from the drawings and thefollowing description.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view, partly in section and partly in elevation, of apacking device of swab cup form embodying the invention, shown withinacasing or tubing;

4 Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view longitudinally oft'hedeviceshowing the cup body expanded; g I

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional, view on line 3- 3 'ofiFi'gjl;

Fig- 4 is an elevational view, partly in section, of a modified form ofreinforcing means;

2,723,721 Patented Nov. 15, I955 t 2' Fig. 5 is a view, partly insection and partly in elevation, of a sleeve-type packer embodying theinvention;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view of a modified construction;

7 is a fragmentary sectional" view on line 7-7 of 1g.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view showing a cuptype' packerembodying a modified form ofreinforcement'means;

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8 illustrating a p'aeke'r cup witha'difi'erent type of reinforcement means; 4

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig, 8 showing a packer having-anotherspecies of reinforcement;

Fig. 1'1 is a fragmentary inside view of the reinforcement member ofFig. 10;

Fig; 12 is a fragmentary inside vie-W of a cup-type packer having astill different type of reinforcement mem- Fig. 13 is a perspectiveview'of another form ofspring; Fig. 14" is a fragmentary perspectiveview of a type of spring; and

I Fig. 15 is a fragmentary perspective view of another typeof spring.

More particularly describing the invention, I show in Fig. 1 a swab cupassembly 11 mountedon a mandrel or tubular member 12 and shown within atubing or casing 14. In this form of the invention, the mandrel 1 2 isshown provided with a screw-threaded section 15 upon which is mouutedthe cup assembly. The latter includes an annular resilient'body'18ofrubber or rubber-like material, together with reinforcing means thereinlater. to be described, and a thiinble or abutment 19 at one endthereof. These parts are maintained in position by means of a lock nut20. adjacent the thimble, a spacer sleeve 21, washer 22, and a secondlock nut 23. Tightening of the latter nut causes the sleeve 21 to deforman inner portion 1 8" of the packer body into tight sealing engage.-ment with the mandrel 12'. Also, fluid pressure above the packerincreases the sealing effect, making the original mechanical sealbetter.

The body 18' of the packer has its greater diameter in a region 24 nearits upper end as viewed in Fig. l. I From this area, the packerbody'recedes in diameter to approximately the same diameter as thethimble 19 below this region. Above the region 24" the body is providedwith'a tapered surface 26 and rounded end 27. v

It is a particular'feature that I' reinforce the body 18 in a manner tocause the body to tend to return to it's normal shape as shown in Fig. land in a manner to prevent any migration or extrusion of the material ofthe body when it is subjected to extremely high pressures. Thereinforcing means shown in Fig. 1 comprises two rows of flat springswhich are arranged concentrically, the springs in the outer row beingindicated by 28' and those in the inner row by 29. These springs havetheir inner ends positioned in the grooves 31 and 32, respectively, in ashoe 33, all of the parts being bonded to the material of the body 18.The springs may be secured to the shoe by welding, if desired.The-springs 28in the outer row conform generally to the contour of'theouter surface of the body of the packer and extend considerably beyondthe springs in the inner row. The springs in each row are so spacedcircumferentially and have a width such-that the springs in one row arestaggered with respect to the springs in the other row and to someextent overlap. This construction prevents extrusion of the material ofthe body 18 under the influence of high fluid pressures within the cup.

.Itfwill be noted that the spacing sleeve 2'1 has its; lower end underctinwardly'as at 21" to provide dsloping end surface" and that the shoe33 has its upper end terminating in an inwardly sloping end surface asat 33", these of each other and are shown mounted in a shoe two slopingsurfaces engaging the projecting portion 18' of the cup body to forcethe same against the mandrel.

While in Figs. 1-3 I have shown the thimble 19 and the shoe 33 asseparate parts, I contemplate that these could be made in one piece.Also, instead of the separate fiat springs 28 and 29, each row ofsprings can be formed as a unitary structure as shown in Fig. 4 wherefiat spring sections 35 are shown projecting from an annular baseportion 36, split at 37 for ease of assembly.

In Fig. 2 the packer cup is shown expanded into sealing engagement withthe casing 14 as it would be under the influence of a differential offluid'pressure, the greater pressure being above the packer in the viewshown. It .will be apparent that, even in expanded position, the packercan be moved, since the ends of the packer body taper away from thecasing wall.

Referring now to Fig. 5, I show what is known as a sleeve-type packer 40positioned on a mandrel or tubing 41. This type of device is usedcomonly in packing off the annular space around the pipe in an open oruncased bore hole. Various means which are well known in the art areused for actuating the packing into an expanded position where it willengage the wall of the hole, and since these means are well known, thesupporting and actuating means for the sleeve are not shown in thedrawing.

. The device comprises an elongated annular body 43 which is formed of aresilient material such as rubber, synthetic rubber, or otherrubber-like material. At each end of the body I provide a threadedthimble 44. Within the body at each end I provide two concentric rows offlat springs, the springs in the outer row being indicated by 45 andthose in the inner row by 46. These springs are disposed generally inthe same manner as the springs of the cupor swab-type packer previouslydescribed although, in this form of the invention, the outer springshave hook-like lower ends 45 which lie against a surface 48 formed onthe thimble. The inner springs 46 have similar hooked ends 46, theterminal portions of which lay against a stepped surface 51 on thethimble. A retaining ring 52 fits over the inner ends of the innersprings and serves to hold the elements together. The body 43 is bondedto the springs and the thimble and ring.

If desired, any suitable seal means may be provided between either orboth of the thimbles 44 and the mandrel 41, and in Fig. 6 I show athimble 54 provided with a groove 55 to contain an 0 ring 56 for thispurpose. Also, referring to Fig. 6, I show a slightly modified form ofthe invention wherein the inner and outer-flat springs 57 and 58,respectively, are mounted within a common annular recess or groove 60formed by a retainer ring 61 secured to the thimble by a weld 62. Inthis form of the invention the ends of the springs 58 are notched at 58(Fig. 7) to reduce their width and permit the mounting of both sets ofsprings in the single channel or groove 60.

Referring now to Figs. 8l3, I show various other forms of reinforcementmeans particularly designed for cup-type packers but useful in othertypes of packing members. In Figs. 1-3, two rows of spring members areemployed in the cup body, however, two rows are not essential in allcases since there are many instances where it is unnecessary to have asmuch reinforcement as is provided by two rows. The length of theindividual springs, their number and spacing all may be varied toprovide a desired amount of strength and flexibility. In Fig. 8 I show acup body 60 having a single row of reinforcement springs 61. These arespaced circumferentially 63. The springs extend upwardly over theoutside of the packer body 60 and terminate at their upper ends' ininwardly curved portions 64 which are embedded in the cup. In

this particular form the springs 61 serve, ,to some extent as a guidemeans on running in and out of the well hole.

In Fig. 9 I show another form of reinforcement means wherein a singlerow of fiat springs 7l' ar 'e'embedded in the cup body 72 beingmountedat their lower ends' inthe shoe 73. The upper ends of the springsare preferably curved inwardly as shown. Where the packer may besubjected to extremely high pressures and only a single row of springsis used, it is desirable to provide a fiber or fabric reinforcementlayer 74 which is substantially continuous around the inner sides of thesprings. Any fabric or fiber suitable for molding in rubber or syntheticrubber can be used.

In Figs. 10 and 11 I show another form of the invention wherein amultiple spring unit 81 is used to reinforce the cup body 82. Thismember 81 is shown as having an annular base 84, which may be split atsome point for assembly if desired, and alternately long springs 85 andshort springs 86 projecting therefrom. The outer ends of the springs arebent inwardly as shown. If desired, individual springs 85 and 86 may beused. This particular construction provides for greater flexibility ofthe cup body beyond the ends of the shorter springs.

In Fig. 12 I show still another form of the invention wherein aplurality of fiat springs 91 are embedded in circumferentially spacedrelation in the body 92 of the packer. These springs have a return bend93 connecting two legs 94 and 95, the ends of which are mounted in theshoe 96.

Referring now to Fig. 13, I show another modification. Here a fiatU-shaped spring 101 having legs 102 and 103 connected by a joiningportion 104 is shown. The upper or outer end portion 104 is preferablycurved as shown. Also, the inner ends 105 of the legs are bent inwardlyand provided with arcuate edges 106 to facilitate mounting the unit in ashoe member such as shoe 73 shown in Fig. 9. Several of the units 101are used spaced circumferentially of a cup body.

While I have shown the various springs as made of flat, imperforatespring stock, I contemplate that perforate springs, such as that shownat 111 (Fig. 14), may be used or I may use an undulated or corrugatedspring stock 112 such as that shown in Fig. 15. These two types ofspring stock afford an excellent means of mechanically locking thespring in place. In using the term fiat spring, both in thespecification and claims, I intend that this shall include an undulatedor corrugated spring, such as the one shown in Fig. 14, and othersprings where the spring is flat on a line crossing its side surfacefrom edge to edge.

Although I have described certain preferred forms of my invention, Icontemplate that various changes and modifications can be made withoutdeparting from the invention, the scope of which is indicated by thefollowing claims.

I claim:

1. A packing member adapted to be mounted on a mandrel or the like,comprising an annular body of resilient material and a plurality of flatsprings embedded in said body and extending generally axially thereof,with the flat sides lying in a circumferential path, said springs beingdisposed in a pair of radially spaced concentric rows with the springsin each row being spaced circumfcrentially of each other, the springs inone row being of such dimensions as to substantially overlie the spacebetween the springs in the other row.

2. A packing member as set forth in claim 1 in which the springs in onerow are staggered with respect to and overlap those in the other row.

3. A packing member as set forth in claim 1 wherein the springs in theouter row are longer than those in the inner row.

4. A packing member adapted to be mounted on a mandrel or the likecomprising an annular body of resilient material, a rigid, annularmember at one end of said body, and a plurality of fiat springs embeddedin said body and extending generally axially thereof with the fiat sideslying in a circumferential path, said springs being disposed in a'pairof radially spaced concentric rows with the springs in each row beingspaced circumferentiallyof each other; the springs in one row being ofsuch dimensions as to substantially overlie the space between thesprings in the other row said springs being anchored at one end in saidrigid, annular member.

5. A packing member as set forth in claim 4 in which the springs in theouter row conform generally throughout a major portion of their lengthto the external configuration of said body.

6. A packing member as set forth in claim 4 in which the springs in theouter roW conform generally throughout a major portion of their lengthto the external configuration of said body and in which the springs insaid inner row are substantially shorter than those in the outer row.

7. A sleeve-type packer comprising an elongated annular body ofresilient material, a thimble at each end of said body, and a pair ofradially spaced concentric rows of flat springs embedded in said bodyand at each end thereof extending from the respective thimbles for alimited distance axially of the body, the flat sides of the springslying in a circumferential path with the springs in one row being ofsuch dimensions as to substantially overlie the space between thesprings in the other row.

8. A packing member as claimed in claim 1 in which said springs arecorrugated.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,596,353 Hartman Aug. 17, 1926 1,613,066 Turner Jan. 4, 1927 1,898,292Crikmer Feb. 21, 1933 2,013,903 Thaheld Sept. 10, 1935 2,228,630 KailJan. 14, 1941 2,241,532 Barnes May 13, 1941 2,305,282 Taylor et a1 Dec.15, 1942 2,325,556 Taylor Jr. et al. July 27, 1943 2,336,090 GrangerDec. 7, 1943 2,390,372 Johnston et a1. Dec. 4, 1945 2,562,079 Baker July24, 1951 2,581,981 Taylor Jan. 8, 1952 2,585,706 Ware Feb. 12, 19522,609,258 Taylor et a1 Sept. 2, 1952

